CHAPTER FIVE
1120 Words
KIANA.
I slid the last tray of warm, golden-brown pastries-her famous almond croissants into the oven and set the timer. I glanced at the clock hanging above the counter: 8:15 a.m.
“Right on schedule," I muttered, tugging off my oven mitts and heading into the small room at the back of her bakery.
The room wasn’t anything much. Just a double bed, a table and chair with a small bathroom. It was for whenever the cafe kept me too busy to return home.
Aaron was curled up under a soft blanket, his dark curls sticking out in every direction. I softly prodded him. "Wakey, wakey."
Aaron stirred, his sleepy eyes fluttering open. "Mummy?"
"It's time to get ready for school. C'mon.” I said with a smile, brushing his curls back from his forehead.
Aaron groaned melodramatically and pulled the blanket over his head. "I'm still sleepy."
I chuckled. "You can nap later but right now, you've gotta get dressed.”
Reluctantly, he got up, yawning while I dressed him up in a pair of jeans and a dinosaur tshirt that was his favorite. Once he was dressed, I led him out into the main room of the bakery and sat him at the counter then placed a bowl of oats, fruits and a croissant. “Eat up, little bean," I said, tousling his curls.
I had his backpack packed with his books, water bottle, and lunchbox then flipped the sign on the door from CLOSED to OPEN. "Morning, Kiana!" one of my regulars called as she came in.
"Good morning, Mrs. Burrows!" I replied, already reaching for the cinnamon rolls the older woman ordered each day.
"Don't know what magic you put in these pastries, dear, but they brighten up my mornings," Mrs. Burrows said with a wink.
"It's not magic," I said, smiling, sliding the rolls into a box. "Just a lot of butter and love."
"Well, keep the love coming," Mrs. Burrows laughed, handing over a twenty.
Customer after customer came through the door, each one greeted with my warm smile and cheerful chatter.
Then there was the loud, booming voice that filled the whole bakery. "Good morning, sunshine!
I turned as the town mechanic and my closest friend, Dexter walked in.
"Uncle Dee!" Aaron squealed, hopping off his stool and running toward Dexter, who scooped him up in a bear hug.
"There's my favorite dinosaur!" Dexter said, spinning Aaron around.
I ducked back into the kitchen to take the almond croissants out of the oven, arranging them in a display. When I came back out, Dexter was at the counter, still holding Aaron.
"Morning, Dex," I greeted. "Mornin', Kiki. Got my usual ready?"
"Always." I handed his order-two bacon scones and three blueberry muffins.
“You nervous about your big gig tonight?" He asked and I groaned. "Don't remind me. I've been freaking out all week. What if I mess up? What if the food doesn't come out right?"
Dexter shook his head. “Kiki, you’re gonna crush it. Your food’s the best in the county—hell, maybe the whole state. Trust me, once those fancy folks land in Turntwood, they won’t know what hit ‘em.”
I smiled, feeling a little less anxious. “Thanks, Dex. That means a lot.”
“Speaking of which”, he said, resting his hands on the counter, “how 'bout I drop Aaron off at school and pick him up after? Give you one less thing to worry about.”
My eyes softened. "Really? I don't want to be a burden-"
"Stop that," he said, cutting me off. "Your little café keeps this whole town happy. We all owe you.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, hugging him briefly.
Dexter grinned. “Anytime.” He turned to Aaron. “Let’s go, little dinosaur. Time to hit the road.”
Aaron pouted as I kissed his cheek. “Mom, I’m five! No more kisses!”
Dexter waved as he carried Aaron to his truck, buckling him into the backseat. As they pulled away, I sighed and glanced at the clock. 8:45 a.m.
My nerves fluttered once more. The high-profile gala I was catering for tonight in Turntwood was my biggest event so far, and I couldn’t afford any screw-ups.
By 2:00 p.m., I had flipped the sign to CLOSED after a busy morning's work, and started bringing my tonight’s menu to life.
—————
I arrived at the venue an hour earlier than when the event was set to start and glanced around the ballroom with a practiced eye: chandeliers twinkling above, floors polished, and tables draped with immaculate white linens. The catering staff bustled around me as I oversaw the finishing touches. A cream-colored elegant dress elegant fell just below my knees, while short heels allowed me to move easily.
"Is the dessert station set up?" I asked one of my assistants, scanning the room.
"Yes, ma'am. Everything's in place," the young man replied.
"Good," I said. "Let's keep the pace steady. These guests expect perfection."
As the evening rolled on, I hung around the edges of the room, watching the elites mix and mingle, their laughter, polished small talk, and air of effortless wealth filling the room. I studied their faces over the rim of my glass of sparkling water, my chest twinging at the faint pain of nostalgia.
This had once been my world. But I’d left it behind, rebuilt my life from the ground up. I wasn't looking back.
Each course was served with precision, every plate a masterpiece. My nerves eased when I heard the appreciative murmurs and nods from the guests.
A little while later, during a lull, I snuck out the back to FaceTime Dexter who was babysitting Aaron for tonight.
My screen lit up on to chaos: Dexter wearing a toy crown and Aaron clad in a dinosaur onesie, the pair both dancing around in a cartoon theme song.
I broke into laughter. "Oh my God, what are you two doing?"
Aaron grinned and waved. "Mommy!”
"You two are ridiculous," I laughed. "Dex, for the love of God, please make sure Aaron doesn't stay up too late. He's got school tomorrow."
“Yes, ma’am,” Dexter said with a mock salute.
Aaron pouted. “But I’m not sleepy!”
“Doesn’t matter, little dinosaur,” I said with a soft smile.
Just as Dexter was about to speak, a familiar voice startled me.
“Kiana?”
My breath caught. I turned, the phone lowering in my hand. There, standing a few feet away, stood the last person I expected to see in small town Turntwood.
“Mason?” I whispered in shock.
- Writer
